Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
VISITING GILMER WEDNESDAY and joining 115th District Judge Lauren Parish for lunch at Silver Alley Events are, from left, District Judge Danny Woodson of Titus County, Court of Appeals Judge Bailey Moseley and Chief Justice Josh Morriss, Judge Parish, Appellate Judge Jack Carter and William Porter, Senior District Judge. At the luncheon, Judge Parish announced that she does not plan to seek the seat that Morriss is vacating on the Texas Sixth Court of Appeals.

115th District Judge Lauren Parish said at a local luncheon she hosted Wednesday for justices of the Texarkana-based Sixth Court of Appeals that she will not run for a seat on that court as “I’m very happy right here where I am.”

When Judge Parish introduced one of the court’s three members, Justice Jack Carter, and noted he was not seeking reelection in 2014, she said that when his court had a vacancy, rumors always seemed to circulate she would run for it.

“Let me put that to rest,” she told the luncheon audience, consisting largely of attorneys, prosecutors, and county officials, at the Silver Alley Events Hall. Her judgeship is up for election in 2014.

The appellate judges were here to hear arguments in two cases at the Upshur County Justice Center, including an appeal of a criminal conviction from this county. Chief Justice Josh Morriss told the luncheon audience it was a “service to the litigants and the lawyers involved” for the justices to travel outside of Texarkana to hear some cases.

Parties appearing before the court thus travel less, and the justices get to be “in the real world,” Morriss said. He also told Judge Parish, “We appreciate you and the good work you do.”

The court’s third justice, Bailey Moseley, was also introduced. Also attending the luncheon were 76th District Judge Danny Woodson, and retired 276th District Judge William (Bill) Porter, who is still active as a visiting judge.

Shortly before the luncheon was to begin, a power failure darkened the room, forcing the use of some candle-like lighting before power was soon restored.

“We did have a little mood lighting earlier,” Judge Parish then quipped. “I hope you enjoyed it. We turned it (power) back on so you could enjoy your food,” she said at the gathering catered by Lori’s.